Pakistan’s insistence on bowling short on a fast, bouncy MCG pitch almost produced a famous hold-up, but the tactic may not be as successful in the second ODI at the Adelaide Oval.
While the approach clearly rattled the Australian batsmen, with Rauf accounting for Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell on consecutive deliveries as he increased his pace, those fireworks are unlikely to be repeated at the traditionally batting-friendly Adelaide Oval on Friday. .
Bouncers can prove risky on a wicket known for its short boundaries on the wicket, in stark contrast to the vast expanses of the MCG.
After making just one run off paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi, Short will relish returning to his BBL homeland where he has dominated in recent seasons for Adelaide Strikers.
“He’ll feel pretty comfortable opening the batting, that’s for sure,” Short said. “It’s my favorite course in the world to play on and I’ve played there a few times so I should be pretty familiar with it.”
“I came into this series with high aspirations of trying to cement my place in the team,” Short said. “I’m going to go out there and keep trying to be positive and play aggressive cricket. It should pay off at some point.”
Fraser-McGurk, who also has his eyes on the vacant opener’s spot, hit 16 off 14 balls in a flurry befitting his ultra-aggressive style. While there may be some belief that Short should curb his approach to complement his daring opening partner, Australia’s hierarchy backs the all-out attack at the top of the order.
“The coaching staff gave us both license to be free and play our shots,” Short said. “Batting with Travis Head too, if you want.” [off] Then I let it go and do my thing.
“It’s similar with Jake. It probably didn’t go well for him last night, like it did for me, but if he sees them and hits them well then I probably won’t tell him much and just let it go. And I’ll just focus more on myself.
“The most important thing in a partnership is that if he is struggling a little bit, then you have to solve whatever the problems are. It’s really exciting to bat with him… it’s good to see him from the other end.”
